Future Coug QB Clements slinging it

BARRY BOLTON

10/18/2010

FUTURE COUG QB Cody Clements doesn't care much about his recruiting ranking – his reaction to the news he'd climbed to 3 stars was to stifle a yawn. And he has no idea how many yards or TD passes he has, he just wants to help La Habra High win. But while focused on his senior season, he does also consider what the future holds, and the thought of wearing crimson gets this laid back QB amped up.

Clements is back in the saddle the last two weeks after sitting a few games with injury. He's completed 67-of-101 passes (66 percent) for 1003 yards with 9 TD's. He has yet to throw an interception this season through four games.

He was also reclassified by Scout.com last week, and now checks in at 3-stars and No. 61 in the nation.

"I didn't even know that," Clements said.

As for the knee, Clements said it feels pretty good. He tweaked it in the fourth quarter of La Habra's (3-3) season opener and then missed the next two games in the middle of September before returning to lead La Habra to a 49-20 win over Downey. It was that first game back that Scout.com's Brandon Huffman viewed that led to his increased ranking.

"That (the knee injury) was a bummer. And we had a tough one against Bosco (Oct. 1), just couldn't get it done. The defense wasn't wrapping up but that wasn't it. The offense should have put it in a few more times. But we're ready for league…(the knee) is in the 90s right now. But I'll probably wait (a couple weeks) before I start running (in games). I'm not really running right now, we're kinda switching off the duties on the option," said Clements.

CLEMENTS TOOK HIS official visit to Washington State earlier this month when the Cougs hosted Oregon. He said the trip "definitely" helped reinforce his earlier decision to verbally commit to Paul Wulff and the Cougars.

"It was actually a great game. They should have been within six points in the fourth quarter but (for) a couple mishaps…a couple plays go a different way and they win that game. So I thought they played a great game – and they have some amazing athletes over there. I'm excited to see the next game and the rest of the games this season," said Clements.

CLEMENTS FOCUSED IN on Jeff Tuel and the offense during the Oregon game.

"They did a pretty good job, the quarterback got hit a few times but that's what happens to quarterbacks. Jeff was making plays, he's a great quarterback…Some of the calls he was making, some of the (complex) terminology, that kind of shocked me but I'll get used to it, just all the things he was saying, how they read the plays coming in and stuff like that," said Clements.

Clements was also licking his chops a bit thinking about all the young receiving talent at Washington State he saw up close and personal while in town.

"Oh yeah -- some amazing talent out there," said Clements. "And how the coaches are with the players (stood out). They're down to earth and not just ‘coaches', they're there for you… Coach (Todd) Sturdy is a really good guy, he talks to you on a more personal level.

"I had a great time. All the guys on the football team were extremely nice. You can just tell that everyone there is extremely close, it's a big family atmosphere so I really enjoyed that."